Eyeglasses case

ABSTRACT

An eyeglasses case including a hard bottom body portion defining an upwardly opening, generally rectangularly shaped cavity, the cavity defining an outer well designed to receive eyeglasses with temples in an extended orientation and a hard cover or top body portion. An inside lining is affixed to the hard bottom body portion within the cavity and to an inner surface of the hard cover or top body portion. Case closing apparatus is affixed to an edge of the hard bottom body portion and an edge of the hard cover or top body portion so that in a closed orientation the top body portion is held tightly against upper edges of the hard bottom body portion to define an enclosed chamber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/671,698, filed 15 May 2018.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a case for storing and protecting eyeglasses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well-known that eyeglasses, when not in use, can be difficult andinconvenient to store and protect from damage. In many instances, peopletake off their glasses and simply lay the glasses down on the nearesttable, etc. In this situation, the glasses can be tipped over onto thelenses, nocked onto the floor, and even pushed under something and losttemporarily or even permanently. In any case the lenses of the glassescan be scratched, or even broken.

To alleviate these problems a variety of glasses cases have beendeveloped or suggested. In each instance the temples of the glasses mustbe folded against the front of the frames. Thus, each time the glassesare placed in the prior art glasses case the temples must be folded intothe stored position. As understood by anyone who wears glasses, thiscontinual folding and opening can result in wear on the hinges, theloosening and potential loss of screws that hold the hinges together,and even over-bending of the temples when opening them for use of theglasses. Further, in many of the prior art glasses cases there is eitherno room or very limited room for storage of accessories, such ascleaning materials, etc. and only one set of eyeglasses can be stored

It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing andother deficiencies inherent in the prior art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedeyeglasses case.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved eyeglasses case that holds the eyeglasses in an open orunfolded position.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved eyeglasses case that can store more than one set of eyeglassesand provides sufficient room for storing accessories and cleaningmaterials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly to achieve the desired objects and advantages of the instantinvention in accordance with a preferred embodiment an eyeglasses caseis disclosed including a hard bottom body portion defining an upwardlyopening, generally rectangularly shaped cavity, the cavity defining anouter well designed to receive eyeglasses with temples in an extendedorientation and a hard cover or top body portion. An inside lining isaffixed to the hard bottom body portion within the cavity and to aninner surface of the hard cover or top body portion. Case closingapparatus is affixed to an edge of the hard bottom body portion and anedge of the hard cover or top body portion so that in a closedorientation the top body portion is held tightly against upper edges ofthe hard bottom body portion to define an enclosed chamber.

To further achieve the desired objects and advantages of the presentinvention an eyeglasses case includes a hard bottom body portiondefining an upwardly opening, generally rectangularly shaped cavity, thecavity defining an outer well or chamber designed to receive one or moreeyeglasses with temples in an extended orientation and a hard cover ortop body portion. An inside lining is affixed to the hard bottom bodyportion within the cavity and to an inner surface of the hard cover ortop body portion, the inside lining includes a soft pliable material.The hard bottom body portion is hingedly attached to the hard cover ortop body portion by one of a hinge and a portion of the inside lining toallow movements of the hard bottom body portion and the hard cover ortop body portion between an open orientation and a closed orientation.Case closing apparatus is affixed to an edge of the hard bottom bodyportion and an edge of the hard cover or top body portion so that in aclosed orientation the top body portion is held tightly against upperedges of the hard bottom body portion to define an enclosed chamber.

To further achieve the desired objects and advantages of the presentinvention an eyeglasses case includes a hard bottom body portiondefining an upwardly opening, generally rectangularly shaped cavity, thecavity defining an outer well or chamber designed to receive one or moreeyeglasses with temples in an extended orientation and a hard cover ortop body portion. An inside lining is affixed to the hard bottom bodyportion within the cavity and to an inner surface of the hard cover ortop body portion, the inside lining including a soft pliable material.The hard bottom body portion is hingedly attached to the hard cover ortop body portion by one of a hinge and a portion of the inside lining toallow movements of the hard bottom body portion and the hard cover ortop body portion between an open orientation and a closed orientation. Asoft plastic upstanding wall is affixed with relation to the hard bottombody portion within the cavity defining a smaller central well withinthe outer well or chamber and a cover or lid is hingedly affixed to theupstanding wall for movements between an open orientation and a closedorientation. The upstanding wall and cover or lid form an inner enclosedchamber in the closed orientation. Case closing apparatus includes atleast one zipper extending around the periphery of the case fromadjacent one side of a hinged rear portion to adjacent another side ofthe hinged rear portion so that in a closed orientation the top bodyportion is held tightly against upper edges of the hard bottom bodyportion to define an enclosed chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific objects and advantages of the invention will become readilyapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction withthe drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective top view of an eyeglasses caseaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the eyeglasses case of FIG. 1 in aclosed orientation;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the eyeglasses case of FIG. 1 in anopen orientation;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the eyeglasses case of FIG. 1 withthe inner storage compartment lid in an open orientation;

FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of an eyeglasses caseaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the eyeglasses case of FIG. 5 with the upperportion in an open orientation, carrying eyeglasses with the temples inthe extended position;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the eyeglasses case of FIG. 5 with the lid orcover of the central well in an open orientation;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the eyeglasses case of FIG. 5 in a partiallyopen orientation;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the eyeglasses case of FIG. 5 in a partiallyopen orientation; and

FIG. 10 is a front view of the eyeglasses case of FIG. 5 in a closedorientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicatecorresponding elements throughout the several views, attention isdirected to FIG. 1 which illustrates an eyeglasses case generallydesignated 10. Eyeglasses case 10 includes a hard bottom body portion 12defining an upwardly opening, generally rectangularly shaped cavity 14and a hard cover or top body portion 16. Top body portion 16 is hingedalong a rear edge to bottom body portion 12 by a tension hinge 18.Tension hinge 18, in this example, is case closing apparatus that allowstop body portion 16 to move or “snap” between an open orientation,illustrated in FIG. 3, and a closed orientation, illustrated in FIG. 2,in a clamshell-like movement. In the closed orientation top body portion16 is held tightly against the upper edges of hard bottom body portion12 to define an inner or completely enclosed chamber. Hard bottom bodyportion 12 and hard top body portion 16 can be fabricated from anyconvenient stiff, rigid material, such as any of the hard plastics,lighter metals, or the like.

An inside lining 20 is fabricated from a soft pliable material, such asvelvet or the like. As understood in the art, velvet material is a woventufted fabric with s short dense pile that can be made from eithersynthetic or natural fibers. While velvet material or fabric ispreferred for its softness, any material with a similar softness couldbe utilized. Lining 20 includes a lower portion 22 that is nested withinhard bottom body portion 12 and fits snuggly against all of thecontours. Lining 20 further includes an upper portion 24 that mates withand fits snuggly against all of the contours of top body portion 16.Also, upper portion 24 is attached to lower portion 22 along the rearedge and parallel to tension hinge 18 so as to cover tension hinge 18and allow upper portion 24 to move with top body portion 16. Lining 20is attached to bottom body portion 12 and top body portion 16 at variousstrategic areas or points to retain it tightly against the bodyportions. In this preferred embodiment, lining 20 is affixed withinbottom body portion 12 and top body portion 16 by inserting the edges oflining 20 into grooves formed along the edges of bottom body portion 12and top body portion 16. Alternatively, lining 20 may be attached tobottom body portion 12 and top body portion 16 by any convenientadhesive or other attaching means, such as Velcro or the like. Lowerportion 22 of lining 20, in combination with hard bottom body portion 12defines a well or chamber 25 designed to receive one or more eyeglasseswith the temples in the extended orientation, as will be explained inmore detail below.

A central well or inner chamber 30 is formed by an upstanding wall 32positioned within bottom body portion 12 and spaced from the inner wallsof bottom body portion 12. Upstanding wall 32 extends in a generallyrectangular direction parallel to the inner walls of bottom body portion12 and extends upwardly from the bottom inner surface of bottom bodyportion 12 approximately the same height as the walls of bottom bodyportion 12. In this preferred embodiment, upstanding wall 32 is formedof a soft plastic, such as polyurethane foam or the like, but anysimilar or comparable material might be used. Upstanding wall 32 can beaffixed to the surface of inside lining 20 by some convenient adhesiveor other and, thus, bottom body portion 12, attaching means, such asVelcro or the like.

The main purpose of upstanding wall 32 is to define a central well orinner chamber that can be used to store various accessories and cleaningmaterials. To this end a cover or lid 34 is provided that fits snugglyinto the upper end of the opening defined by upstanding wall 32. Anelastic band 36 is affixed to upper edges of upstanding wall 32 so as toengage cover or lid 34 along the forward edge and retain cover or lid 34in the opening defined by upstanding wall 32. One or more indents ordepressions are formed in the upper edge of upstanding wall 32 andprovides finger holds for the grasping and opening of cover or lid 34 toallow access to the central well or inner chamber. As illustrated inFIG. 4, elastic band 36 stretches to allow lid 34 to be rotated upwardlyso as to again access to inner chamber 30 and materials stored therein.

Optional protective foam inserts 40 and 42 are provided for additionalprotection of eyeglasses stored within well or chamber 25. Inserts 40and 42 may be formed of some convenient soft material, such aspolyurethane or the like. Inserts 40 and 42 are situated between hardbottom body portion 12 and lining 20. Various optional pockets and otherstorage devices or elements may be added to eyeglasses case 10 bothinternally and externally. For example, soft elastic pockets 44 areaffixed to the surface of upper portion 24 of lining 20 by someconvenient adhesive or other attaching means, such as Velcro or thelike. Also, a soft elastic outside pocket 46 may be attached to theouter surface of bottom body portion 12.

In the operation and use of eyeglasses case 10, top body portion 16 ismoved to the open orientation, illustrated in FIG. 3. One or moreeyeglasses with the temples in the extended position are depositedwithin well or chamber 25 (see FIG. 6). For example, a first set ofeyeglasses can be situated with the frames and lenses directed towardthe front of well or chamber 25 and the temples extending along eachside of upstanding wall 32 toward the rear of well or chamber 25.Elastic bands 50 are provided in well or chamber 25 on each side ofupstanding wall 32 approximately midway between the front and back wallsand extending from the outer wall of well or chamber 25 to the outersurface of upstanding wall 32. When eyeglasses are positioned in well orchamber 25 as described above, the temples are inserted under elasticbands 50 to hold the eyeglasses from moving within well or chamber 25.In the event it is desired to store a second set of eyeglasses ineyeglasses case 10, the frames and lenses are directed toward the rearof well or chamber 25 with the temples extending along each side ofupstanding wall 32, beneath elastic bands 50, toward the front of wellor chamber 25.

Turning to FIGS. 5 through 10, another embodiment or example, designated10′, of an eyeglasses case in accordance with the present invention isillustrated. All of the components and materials of eyeglasses case 10′are (or can be) similar to like components and materials of eyeglassescase 10 in the above description. However, in this embodiment the caseclosing apparatus includes a pair of zippers, designate 18 a and 18 b,that extend from adjacent either side of a back hinge or couplingmaterial between the top body portion and the bottom body portion to apoint at which they meet in the front of eyeglasses case 10′. As can beseen, for example in FIGS. 6 and 7, zippers 18 a and 18 b allow the topbody portion to swing into an open orientation when moved to the rear ofglasses case 10′ and hold the top body portion firmly connected alongthe edges to the bottom body portion when moved around the edge to theposition illustrated in FIG. 10. FIG. 6 additionally shows eyeglasseswith the temples in the extended position carried therein. It will ofcourse be understood that the pair of zippers could be replaced by asingle zipper but is has been found that two zippers are preferred fortheir convenience in operation and positive closure of eyeglasses case10′. Zippers 18 a and 18 b may be attached, for example to the hardbottom body portion 12 and the hard cover or top body portion by gluingthe material portion of the zippers to the edges of the two bodyportions. Alternatively, the zippers might be incorporated into anoutside covering affixed to the hard body portions to provide anattractive appearance. Other case closing apparatus might be devised butas stated above, a zipper or zippers are preferred and the two zippersillustrated provide the most convenient and positive case closingapparatus.

In all examples, the case closing apparatus is affixed to an edge of thehard bottom body portion and an edge of the hard cover or top bodyportion, whether directly or through some additional material (e.g.cloth, etc.) so that in the closed orientation the top body portion isheld tightly against the upper edges of the hard bottom body portion todefine an inner or completely enclosed chamber. Also, the hard bottombody portion and the hard cover or top body portion can be attached formovement between an open orientation and a closed orientation by one orboth of a hinge attached between portions along a rear edge and aportion of the inside lining.

Thus, an eyeglasses case is disclosed that is capable of holding(temporarily storing) one or more sets of eyeglasses with the temples inan open or unfolded orientation. As understood by people that weareyeglasses, in many instances at least two sets of eyeglasses (e.g.reading and distance) may be required. In the present novel eyeglassescase one or more sets of eyeglasses are stored and protected from anyscratching or other damage and are instantly ready for use. By notrequiring the folding of the temples each time the eyeglasses arestored, wear is minimized and the eyeglasses are retained in a wearableorientation. Besides substantially reducing the wear on the hinges ofthe eyeglasses, the potential for over-extending the temples whenopening or unfolding the temples is greatly reduced. Many otheradvantages will occur to those skilled in the art, at least one of whichis that hinge-less eyeglasses can be used. One big advantage of sucheyeglasses is that they have fewer components that can break and aretherefore lighter.

Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen forpurposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art.To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart fromthe spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within thescope thereof which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of thefollowing claims.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms asto enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same,the invention claimed is:

1. An eyeglasses case comprising: a hard bottom body portion defining anupwardly opening, generally rectangularly shaped cavity, the cavitydefining an outer well or chamber designed to receive one or moreeyeglasses with temples in an extended orientation; a hard cover or topbody portion; an inside lining affixed to the hard bottom body portionwithin the cavity and to an inner surface of the hard cover or top bodyportion; and case closing apparatus affixed to an edge of the hardbottom body portion and an edge of the hard cover or top body portion sothat in a closed orientation the top body portion is held tightlyagainst upper edges of the hard bottom body portion to define anenclosed chamber.
 2. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 1 wherein asmaller central well is defined within the outer well or chamber by asoft plastic upstanding wall affixed relative to the hard bottom bodyportion within the cavity.
 3. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 2further including a cover or lid hingedly affixed to the upstanding wallfor movements between an open orientation and a closed orientation, theupstanding wall and cover or lid forming an inner enclosed chamber inthe closed orientation.
 4. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 1further including the hard bottom body portion being hingedly attachedto the hard cover or top body portion by one of a hinge and a portion ofthe inside lining to allow movements of the hard bottom body portion andthe hard cover or top body portion between an open orientation and aclosed orientation.
 5. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 4 whereinthe inside lining includes a lower portion affixed to the hard bottombody portion and an upper portion affixed to the hard cover or top bodyportion, the lower portion being affixed to the upper portion along arear edge to allow movements of the hard bottom body portion and thehard cover or top body portion between an open orientation and a closedorientation.
 6. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 1 wherein thecase closing apparatus includes at least one zipper extending around theperiphery of the case from adjacent one side of a hinged rear portion toadjacent another side of the hinged rear portion.
 7. The eyeglasses caseas claimed in claim 6 wherein the case closing apparatus includes twozippers, one zipper of the two zippers extending around the periphery ofthe case from adjacent one side of a hinged rear portion of the case toa point at the front of the case and a second zipper of the two zippersextending around the periphery of the case from adjacent another side ofthe hinged rear portion of the case to the point at the front of thecase.
 8. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 1 wherein the insidelining includes a soft pliable material.
 9. An eyeglasses casecomprising: a hard bottom body portion defining an upwardly opening,generally rectangularly shaped cavity, the cavity defining an outer wellor chamber designed to receive one or more eyeglasses with temples in anextended orientation; a hard cover or top body portion; an inside liningaffixed to the hard bottom body portion within the cavity and to aninner surface of the hard cover or top body portion, the inside liningincluding a soft pliable material; the hard bottom body portion beinghingedly attached to the hard cover or top body portion by one of ahinge and a portion of the inside lining to allow movements of the hardbottom body portion and the hard cover or top body portion between anopen orientation and a closed orientation; and case closing apparatusaffixed to an edge of the hard bottom body portion and an edge of thehard cover or top body portion so that in a closed orientation the topbody portion is held tightly against upper edges of the hard bottom bodyportion to define an enclosed chamber.
 10. The eyeglasses case asclaimed in claim 9 wherein the case closing apparatus includes at leastone zipper extending around the periphery of the case from adjacent oneside of a hinged rear portion to adjacent another side of the hingedrear portion.
 11. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 10 wherein thecase closing apparatus includes two zippers, one zipper of the twozippers extending around the periphery of the case from adjacent oneside of a hinged rear portion of the case to a point at the front of thecase and a second zipper of the two zippers extending around theperiphery of the case from adjacent another side of the hinged rearportion of the case to the point at the front of the case.
 12. Theeyeglasses case as claimed in claim 11 wherein a smaller central well isdefined within the outer well or chamber by a soft plastic upstandingwall affixed relative to the hard bottom body portion within the cavity.13. The eyeglasses case as claimed in claim 12 further including a coveror lid hingedly affixed to the upstanding wall for movements between anopen orientation and a closed orientation, the upstanding wall and coveror lid forming an inner enclosed chamber in the closed orientation. 14.An eyeglasses case comprising: a hard bottom body portion defining anupwardly opening, generally rectangularly shaped cavity, the cavitydefining an outer well or chamber designed to receive one or moreeyeglasses with temples in an extended orientation; a hard cover or topbody portion; an inside lining affixed to the hard bottom body portionwithin the cavity and to an inner surface of the hard cover or top bodyportion, the inside lining including a soft pliable material; the hardbottom body portion being hingedly attached to the hard cover or topbody portion by one of a hinge and a portion of the inside lining toallow movements of the hard bottom body portion and the hard cover ortop body portion between an open orientation and a closed orientation;and a soft plastic upstanding wall affixed with relation to the hardbottom body portion within the cavity defining a smaller central wellwithin the outer well or chamber, and a cover or lid hingedly affixed tothe upstanding wall for movements between an open orientation and aclosed orientation, the upstanding wall and cover or lid forming aninner enclosed chamber in the closed orientation; and case closingapparatus including at least one zipper extending around the peripheryof the case from adjacent one side of a hinged rear portion to adjacentanother side of the hinged rear portion so that in a closed orientationthe top body portion is held tightly against upper edges of the hardbottom body portion to define an enclosed chamber.
 15. The eyeglassescase as claimed in claim 14 wherein the case closing apparatus includestwo zippers, one zipper of the two zippers extending around theperiphery of the case from adjacent one side of a hinged rear portion ofthe case to a point at the front of the case and a second zipper of thetwo zippers extending around the periphery of the case from adjacentanother side of the hinged rear portion of the case to the point at thefront of the case.